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What types of triathlons are there? And how do I decide the one for me?

Before you eagerly sign up for the Ironman distance, you should consider what type of race is best suited to your needs.

There are four popular distances that we will cover below.

There is a natural progression to the distances, so if you are just starting out, make sure you start from the bottom and work your way up to the bigger races!

The Sprint

To start with, there are the Sprint distance triathlon.

These types of races are perfect for beginners or people who are looking to take part in their first triathlon.

The sprint is commonly known as one of the most popular distances. Here’s a breakdown of the distances for each activity:

Swim: 0.5km to 0.75km

Bike: 20km to 22km

Run: 5km

Olympic distance

The second type of triathlon is the Olympic distance.

As the name may suggest, this type of race is the official distance of the Olympics itself.

So, if you are just getting started, you might want to sit this one out!

Due to the distance of the event, you are going to need to be pretty fit in order to take part.

Here’s a breakdown of the distances below:

Swim: 1.5km

Bike: 40km

Run: 10km

Half Iron

Now things are starting to intensify.

The half iron will definitely push you to your limits, so if you haven’t been able to complete the previous two events, maybe give this one a miss.

If, however, you have prevailed with great success, the half iron may be the perfect race you are looking for.

That is providing you are up for the challenge.

Here’s a breakdown of the distances below:

Swim: 1.9km

Bike: 90km

Run: 21km

Iron distance triathlon

Here it is.

The ultimate endurance test.

If you thought the half Iron was tough, prepare to be pushed to limits you’ve never experienced before.

The Iron distance triathlon, know commonly as an Ironman triathlon, is the final mission for triathletes and something many people strive to complete.

Even experienced triathletes will still find the Ironman a challenge, so you aren’t alone if the thought of it is making you feel uneasy!

You should only consider doing an Iron distance race when you have a few triathlons under your belt and you have completed one, at the minimum, half iron.

Here’s a breakdown of the Iron distances below:

Swim: 3.8km

Bike: 180km

Run: 42.2km

Are triathlons safe to take part in?

Triathlons are certainly not for the faint-hearted.

When you sign up for a triathlon, you have to know what you are getting yourself into.

The intensity of triathlons comes with many risk factors that you should be aware of.

For example, if you want to sign up for a triathlon but have a pre-existing medical condition, you need to check with your doctor whether or not you will be fit enough to take part.

As with any of the individual activities (running, swimming and cycling), there are risks that you can prepare for and measures you can take to prevent them from happening.

Another example of potential risk is dehydration and cramping when running.

Staying hydrated throughout the race is key, so make sure you are drinking enough water. Experiment with electrolytes to make sure you are getting the right level of nutrients back in your system as well.

On the day of the event, there will likely be a medical team ready to assist anyone who has run into any problems (let’s hope not literally).

For the most part, your safety will come down to the actions you take and the lengths you go to prevent any risks.

Triathlons may sound risky but as long your fitness levels are where they should be and you have trained sufficiently, you should be able to minimise any potential risks yourself.

What are the benefits of triathlons?

You may have read all the details above and thought to yourself; why would anybody put themselves through that?

While triathlons are certainly not easy, there are a host of benefits, both physical and mental, that come with multi-sport racing.

Meeting New People

One of the great things about doing triathlons is the new people you meet.

Being a part of a community of people all with one collective goal can feel really rewarding.

The diversity of people you will meet will amaze you and you will most likely make some friends for life.

Run, Cycle And Swim out of your comfort zone

Stepping outside your comfort zone is another benefit of triathlons.

Taking part in a triathlon is out of most people’s comfort zones and it takes a great amount of discipline to do so.

Pushing yourself to new limits will give you the forwards momentum to smash any goals you set for yourself in the future.

As well as the social and mental benefits, triathlons are amazing for your body.

Expect lower blood pressure, weight loss, increased energy and an increased sense of well-being. You can read more about the physical benefits of triathlons here.

We spoke to “Inspiresport” who are a leading provider of sports tours for schools, here’s what they had to say about triathlons for younger audiences:

“For P.E teachers, getting the children and young adults they teach interested in triathlon activities can be a great way to add more variety to their lessons. However, pupils may be reluctant to get involved in this sport for a variety of reasons. This can range from having a lack of confidence in their ability to do it well, or the simple fact that they don’t have role models that encourage them to participate.

“As a teacher, you should be creating lessons plans that are inclusive so students of all ability levels can get involved and develop their skills in each triathlon activity. This will help them to build their confidence, and hopefully ignite a passion for these sporting activities in them.

In addition to this, you should encourage healthy competition and bring attention to top triathletes (such as Alistair and Jonny Brownlee, Lucy Charles, and Simon Whitfield) for your pupils to look up to. Highlight their struggles and achievements and give them something to aspire to!”

Final Thoughts on our guide to beginner triathlon

We hope this guide has answered some important questions for you and provide you with a better insight into the world of triathlons.

So now, the only question left to ask is.. what’s stopping you from taking part?